Match Report: Yeovil Town 0 vs Bury 1

Nicky Maynard’s first-half goal was enough to ensure the Shakers returned from Somerset with all three points. The forward hit the back of the net for the 110th time in his career this afternoon, as his side made it six points in five days.

Ryan Lowe named Scott Moloney on the bench as Preston loanee Mathew Hudson returned to his parent club earlier in the week. Jamie Barjonas was also unavailable for selection as he returned to Rangers.

The defenders for both Yeovil and Bury had little to do in the opening ten minutes with neither side being able to fashion an attempt on goal.

Bury almost took the lead through Jay O'Shea, who saw his free-kick into the area deflected just wide of Baxter's post.

The resulting corner was played to captain Neil Danns in the box. The midfielder curled an effort beyond Baxter from the left-hand-side of the area, but his strike was inches away from the back of the net as the ball ricocheted off the upright, and fortunately for Yeovil, it landed in the arms of the 'keeper.

Nicky Maynard tapped the Shakers into the lead twenty-five minutes into the tie after some brilliant defensive work from O'Shea. The midfielder slipped the ball down the right before the ball was drilled into the box from the by-line, allowing Maynard to direct the ball beyond Baxter to give his side a 1-0 lead.

It was Maynard's 10th strike of the season for the Shakers, drawing level with Jay O'Shea who also has ten goals to his name so far this campaign. It also saw Maynard notch his 110th career goal.

The Shakers were continuing to threaten the home defenders, especially down the left-hand-side through Callum McFadzean. The full-back had a few crosses into the box but Baxter was equal to them, collecting the ball before the Bury attackers could profit from the deliveries.

The opening goal scorer Maynard almost had an impact at the wrong end of the pitch; his attempted clearance was up in the air, travelling towards Murphy's goal. Thankfully for Ryan Lowe and his side, the shot-stopper caught the ball to remove any danger from the situation.

Caolan Lavery was proving a handful for the hosts, drawing multiple fouls in the attacking half, subsequently giving the likes of Nicky Adams and Jay O'Shea to exhibit their dead-ball qualities.

HALF-TIME: Yeovil Town 0-1 Bury

Zoko looked to get the hosts back into the game after the break. He drove down the right-hand-side of the Bury defence, slipping a ball back into Green who was unable to keep his balance in the middle. His slip allowed the Shakers to clear the danger and keep their one-goal cushion.

Yeovil's best chance so far fell to Mugabi seven minutes into the second period. The ball was flicked through By Fisher, and Mugabi saw his volley from twelve yards miraculously tipped over the bar by Murphy, the thirty-seven year old showing off his concentration and reflexes to keep his side ahead.

Patient build-up play from the Shakers aided them in controlling possession and creating chances. Chris Stokes drove forward and played a smart one-two with McFadzean before a low cross was cleared by the Yeovil defence as the Shakers' hunt for a second goal at Yeovil was set to continue.

Referee Nicholas Kinsley was being asked for a penalty by the hosts as D'Almeida was seen off by two of the Bury defenders. D'Almeida stayed down and required treatment as the official waved away the Yeovil protests.

Some brilliant play from Caolan Lavery almost made it two for the Shakers. He was picked out by Adams after a dinked ball, spinning around his man with the first touch and racing in behind the backline. His square ball for Maynard was cut-out by a Yeovil defender, but the ball fell back to Lavery who fired over the bar.

Will Aimson had a golden opportunity to double the lead for Bury following a set-piece from Nicky Adams. Lavery had won the free-kick which picked out Aimson but his header was directly at Baxter, not troubling the Yeovil 'keeper too much.

A coming together between McFadzean and D'Almeida saw the latter win a free-kick in a dangerous position for the hosts. James stood over the ball on the right before smashing an effort way over Murphy's bar.

Ryan Lowe's side survived a late scare from a corner and home 'keeper Baxter ventured out from his goal to get involved. Dickinson found himself free on the penalty spot but could only head over the bar.